Thursday, June 10, 2010

Sugar Snap Pea and Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad




Sugar Snap Pea and Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad
Serves 6

1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
8 ounces whole-wheat bowtie pasta
8 ounces fresh sugar snap peas, trimmed
2 cups red and yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking pasta.

2. Meanwhile, puree cottage cheese until smooth in a blender or mini food processor.  Add buttermilk and oil; process until smooth.  Scrape into a storage container and stir in dill, parsley, Parmesan, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cover and set aside in the refrigerator.

3. Cook pasta in boiling water until just al dente, about 10 minutes.  Add peas and cook until crisp-tender, about 1 minute.  Drain and rinse under cold running water.

4. Place pasta and peas in a large storage container and toss with tomatoes and scallions.  Season with salt and pepper.

5. Just before serving, toss salad with dressing.